Northfield resident Darlene Rose of the Atlantic County Senior Center in Northfield is interviewed by Emalyn Quintero, Calvin Donahue and Ryan Sullivan Friday, Feb. 10 at the Northfield Community School.

NORTHFIELD – The students in Fay Crooks’ second-grade class at the Northfield Community School met some special guests who came to their class Friday, Feb. 10.

Crooks has been making an intergenerational connection between her students and participants in the Atlantic County senior lunch program for more than a decade, and on Friday a new crop of students greeted a new crop of seniors.

“We used to go over to the senior center and meet the seniors there, and our children would interview them and play games,” Crooks said.

“The funding for a bus to transport the children was cut off and we were no longer able to go, but it was such a wonderful experience for the children each year and for the seniors that it stayed on my heart. I contacted the center, and now they transport the seniors to our school – and we are so happy to have them,” she said.

The teacher said she never knows how many seniors might be coming from one year to the next. Last week nine seniors arrived, and they were greeted warmly.

They watched a big screen that flashed photographs of past participants in the program –some of whom have passed on.

“It is nice to see this slideshow of so many of our friends that have passed,” commented Helen Castleberry, one of this year’s participants.

The students lined the front of the room, where Crooks briefly reminded them of their social skills.

“Boys and girls, remember to shake our guest’s hand, look each person in the eye, tell them your name, thank them for coming to our class today, and ask their name,” she instructed.

In just a few minutes, the room containing what was once nine strangers and 19 young students was filled with chatter about pets, school and families.

Elizabeth Jenkins of Pleasantville told her new friends Ryan Sullivan and Calvin Donahue about her cat, Pocket, and the fish in her tank that she finds soothing to watch. Ryan talked about his cat and hamsters while Jenkins smiled broadly listening to his tales.

Daisy Newsome of Atlantic City introduced herself as “Grandmom Daisy,” and the students quickly found her warm smile and giggle infectious.

When the 90-minute visit was over, the students helped the seniors with their coats and walked them out to meet the county bus, and a few sniffles could be heard as the seniors pulled away.

“That just shows that you care about your new friends,” Crooks said, giving her student a hug of reassurance.

Their next get-together is a game day when the seniors will show the children the board games they enjoyed as kids.

“It is always a special day when the seniors and the children have a chance to make that special connection,” Crooks said.

Photos by Suzanne Marino

Tre Torres and Luke McCarthy join their new friend, Elizabeth Jenkins of Pleasantville, in Fay Crooks’ second-grade class Friday, Feb. 10 at the Northfield Community School.   Second-grader Sada Spooner gets to know Juanita Fairainez of Pleasantville in Fay Crooks’ class Friday, Feb. 10.   Emma Forth, left, of Egg Harbor Township and her grandmother Daisy Newsome of Atlantic City talk to their new second-grade friends Neveah Howard, left, and Sarah Higbee.   Second-grade teacher Fay Crooks documents the interactions of her students with senior citizens during their first visit to her classroom Friday, Feb. 10.